Tradition is a practice carried on for many generations. The meaning on the other hand, is altered to every person’s own perspective. Christmas is traditionally a religious holiday where people gather to celebrate and acknowledge the birth of Christ. However, in modern society most people celebrate Christmas solely for the exchange of presents; the true meaning of Christmas is disappearing in people’s minds. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” focuses on tradition, exposing to the reader that the meaning of many traditions nowadays may have been lost. “The Lottery” is filled with irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing. Through these techniques, Jackson reveals the true intentions of the story.
Jackson sets “The Lottery” in a small village where it is “clear and sunny.” Immediately, the reader has been set up for a surprise. The “warmth of a full-summ
Through the well-integrated techniques, Shirley Jackson is able to produce an effective piece of literature. Jackson does not firmly state that the meaning of many traditions is slowly fading away; instead she implies them. Upon reflection, a reader can truly come to the realization that the significant components of many traditions are slowly vanishing. At the instant that the reader feels this, Jackson has accurately accomplished her goal.
Another equally important, effective and powerful tool that Jackson utilizes is symbolism. Throughout “The Lottery” a number of symbols can be clearly identified. The back dot on the piece of paper along with the black box represents or foreshadows death. Similarly, “the chips of wood, that had been used for generations” has been altered; instead, the villagers are using “slips of paper.” This undoubtedly symbolizes a change in tradition b
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